Deployment Visitors 2

On March 4th my friends Kara and Brooke came to visit me on their Spring Break!!

They flew in to LAX pretty late on Friday so with the time difference they were pretty exhausted... which is pretty common when people come to visit!! But despite how tired they were, there was non-stop chatter and laughter the whole hour car ride home and then it was straight to bed!!

The next day was supposed to be one of the nicest days during their stay, so we had to go to the BEACH!  We bought some drinks and snacks, packed a cooler, and were on our way to a full day of soaking up the SUN. It couldn't have been a better day! That night we went to the Oceanside Pier to watch the sunset and eat dinner at Ruby's Diner (a place I take just about every visitor).  Then we called it a day, still a little tired from the trip and the sun had DRAINED any energy they had left!!

Del Mar Beach on Camp Pendleton

Sunday we went down to San Diego to another one of my FAVORITE "touristy" spots, Seaport Village.  We did some shopping, ate at the Greek Cafe, enjoyed the people watching and after a couple of hours we headed back home.

Kara at the Hat Shop :]

Fun Hats!!

The next day was rainy and kind of chilly so we decided to go get some sushi takeout, bring it back to my neighbor Christina's house and watch some Sex and The City.  That night we had some drinks and played games, just like old times up at CMU and this couldn't have made me any happier... to have my friends with me, making me laugh, and keeping my mind off things! 

I MUST mention that Diego LOVES company and he WOULD NOT leave these poor girls alone for one second!! He took a particular liking to Brooke... (if you know what I mean) and we could not stop laughing!!

Brooke scared to pop the cork on her champagne

I tried so hard to get the picture right when it popped... but no such luck.

Sorry... Brooke's pictures with Diego were inappropriate to put on the Internet. LOL

Their last day here we got another BEAUTIFUL day, so we made sure to take advantage of it and went to the beach, where Kara and Brooke decided to make a beautiful turtle in the sand and we worked on getting them some tan lines before they went back to Michigan.  After a couple of hours, we went home and got all dolled up to go out to dinner in San Clemente to Avila's El Ranchito.  We had some margaritas and some amazing Mexican food which made for great conversation and the PERFECT last night of their vacation!!

One of my favorite places to eat and take my visitors!

I was SO SAD that they had to leave because of how much FUN we had that week and what GREAT company they were.  I hadn't laughed that much in a LONG time and I sure needed it!!  What great friends they are to spend THEIR SPRING BREAK/time off from school and a busy schedule to come visit ME!!

Their stay was GREATLY appreciated!! :]

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 60

A Picture Of Something You Are Excited About

DUH!!!

I am still excited and will continue to be excited for Brett's homecoming until the day actually arrives!!

I'm praying, hoping, and wishing that these next few months FLY BY and that the big day will be here before we know it. It's going to be SUCH A GREAT DAY that just thinking about it, will ALWAYS put a smile on my face, not matter what kind of day I am having. 

I haven't been this excited for ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING... in my entire life.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 59

A Picture Of A Random Item You Own

What is it...?

I don't even know what to call it!!

On my 21st birthday my Mom and Rick came up to Mt. Pleasant (where I was going to school at the time) and we went to a restaurant/bar called Coco Joe's.  There was this "special drink" that came in this coconut head/face/bowl thingy and since it was my 21st... I just HAD to have it. There is even a little hole in the top for a straw!! Well, after ordering my drink it took them FOREVER to find one of these hallowed out coconuts, so they ended up bringing my "special drink" in an ordinary glass... they ended up giving me this one that was on display after my drink was already finished.

So why do I still have it...?

I have know idea!!

I keep it on top of my refrigerator next to whatever alcohol we have in the house, maybe with hopes that one day it may actually get used?!?! I don't know.

But it most definitely adds character to our kitchen (or that's what I tell myself anyways) and holds a pretty special memory =]



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 58

A Picture Of Your Favorite Animal

GIRAFFE

I'm not sure what it is exactly but they have always been my favorite!!



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 57

A Picture Of Your Favorite Holiday

Growing up my favorite holiday was always the Fourth of July but now that I have moved away from home and no longer celebrate that holiday with my family and our usual Fourth of July traditions, my favorite holiday is now CHRISTMAS!!

I enjoy decorating the house listening to Christmas music.  I love going shopping for gifts for everyone (even though the malls are CRAZY during this time of year). Christmas is the ONLY time that I enjoy snow on the ground, which unfortunately doesn't happen here in California. But mostly, I love Christmas because I get to spend so much time with my family.  Since I have such a big family, our Christmas usually lasts for a whole week... Instead of one huge family Christmas we have several little ones.

Each family Christmas has a different tradition...

The scavenger hunt at my Dad and Kim's

Making Christmas Cookies at my Grandma and Grandpa Miles House

Playing games at my Grandma and Grandpa Gifford's

The orange in our stocking from my Mom and Rick

Without all of these special things, Christmas wouldn't be... Christmas, to me.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 56

A Picture Of Something That Makes You Happy

Right now the thing that makes me the happiest is when I go to my email inbox and I see that I have an email from Brett. 

This is our only consistent way of communication right now and I (obsessively) check my email all throughout the night.  Right now, when I wake up Brett is going to bed and when I go to bed he is waking up...

Yes, it is as convienient as it sounds lol.

But I will take whatever I can get.

I am just SO THANKFUL that we have some form of communication!!

If I get this excited over email... you can only imagine how excited I get over a phone call!!

Things that I would normally take for granted mean SO MUCH during a time like this!



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 55

A Picture Of The Last Movie You Saw In Theaters

True Grit

Brett and I went to see this movie before he left, on our date night (his pick, not mine).

I will admit that I was not excited to see this movie... at all.  (I wanted to see 127 Hours)

I am just not a fan of old western movies and I was certain that I was going to HATE it.

But... I didn't.

I actually really enjoyed the movie and became an even bigger fan of Jeff Bridges.

I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone!

Just goes to show... you really shouldn't judge a book (or in this case a movie) by it's cover.

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 54

A Picture Of The One Thing You Would Bring If You Were Stranded On A Deserted Island

Before you roll your eyes and think, wow... how original...

Just know that I am rolling my eyes too.

Maybe it's because I'm a little vulnerable and missing him A LOT today or because a "tropical vacation" together sounds AMAZING right about now or MAYBE it's because if I am on this deserted island the LAST thing I would want is to be ALONE.

Whatever the reason... this is who I would bring and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I mean, look at him and all of that gear... I have a feeling that not only would he be good at keeping me company but he'd probably be pretty good at keeping me alive!!



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 53

A Picture Of Someone You Think Is Hot

(besides the obvious)

Ryan Reynolds

I started this "crush" way back when I first saw him on "Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place" and it just never went away :) Not only do I think he is attractive but I really do like him as an actor as well.

Maybe it's his awesome sense of humor or possibly his chiseled abs... but whatever it is, I am VERY intrigued and a VERY big fan.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 52

A Picture Of Your Favorite Sport

MICHIGAN football

I was born into a family full of some of UofM's biggest fans...

My brother's name is Mitch Egan (put them together and it sounds like Michigan) and my dad wanted my name to be Maizey (for Maize and Blue)...

I have memories when I was a kid of going to football parties every weekend (during the season) and seeing my dad move from seat, to seat, to seat, during the game because of his superstitions.
Today, I still get excited for football season and now I am the one with stupid superstitions!!

  Even if I wanted to support a different big 10 team (which I never would) I would not do so because my father would probably disown me :)

I will be a supporter of UofM until the day I die.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 51

A Picture Of Your Dream Car

Okay... I guess I really don't have a "dream car."

I just spent the last 20 minutes searching through pictures because I didn't have one off the top of my head...

I love my little Chevy Malibu! Cars/vehicles aren't something that is really important to me...

But if I had to choose I would pick a Range Rover :)

Lately, every time I see these on the road I catch myself thinking, "I think I'd look good in that car!"

LOL

So I guess this would be my "dream car" then, the one that I would buy... if I had the money.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 50

A Picture Of Your Most Frequented Place

Over the past month I have been to the airport more times then the grocery store!!

7 times to be exact.

Whether it's to pick up/drop off visitors from Michigan, or friends coming back from a trip home, or myself going to visit family and friends... it's all happened in this past month!!

And airports are always so bittersweet... It's always SO GREAT to be picking someone up or to be on your way somewhere but then when you have to turn around and say GOODBYE it's always a little sad.

Next month, I am hoping my most frequented spot is someplace more like... the beach :)

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 49

A Picture Of Where You Live

Home Sweet Home

This is Brett and I's first home together, in Oceanside California.

It's perfect for the two of us!!

We live in walking distance from the Corner Store, the pool, and the gym... And only a 5 minute drive to the Commissary (grocery store) and an 8 minute drive to the BEACH!

We are EXTREMELY lucky to have everything that we do and to be living in such a BEAUTIFUL state.

Want to see the inside...?

Well, you'll just have to come visit :)



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 48

A Picture Of Your Favorite Actress/Actor

SANDRA BULLOCK

1. I think she is GORGEOUS

2. and I LOVE her in ALL of her movies (even in the terrible ones like "All About Steve" & "Miss Congeniality 2" lol)

I obviously don't know what her personality is like in real life but in all of her interviews and television appearances... I always find myself liking her more and more. She seems to carry herself very well and isn't one of those fake Hollywood bimbos. 

Some of my favorite movies that she is in include; "Speed," "While You Were Sleeping," "The Net," "Hope Floats," "Practical Magic," "Forces of Nature," "28 Days," "Miss Congeniality," "Crash," "The Lake House," "The Proposal," and "The Blind Side."

How can you NOT love Sandra Bullock?!?!? 



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 47

A Picture Of Your Favorite Place To Shop

My favorite place to shop is the Irvine Spectrum.

It's an outdoor shopping center that has every great store you could think of and so many great places to eat!

There is also a movie theater, an Improv comedy club, a salon, and a fitness center... and so much more!

I enjoy the Irvine Spectrum because it is all out doors and it REALLY does look like the pictures at night :) It is way better then your average shopping mall!

Plus there is a HUGE ferris wheel right in the middle of all the stores... where else can you find that!?

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 46

A Picture Of Where You Wish You Were Right Now

Brett's HOMECOMING!!

It's just about all I can think about and these days are just not going by fast enough!!

I don't know if I have ever looked forward to something so much in my life :)

I am so excited!! But also trying not to consume my days with waiting and wishing...

The day will come sooner then I think!

And I CANNOT wait!

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 45

A Picture Of Your Room

Ta Da!

My room!

(or mine and Brett's room)

On the wall it says, "When I count my blessings, I count you twice."

And the little fella on the bed is my Deployment Bear :) he takes place of Brett when he is gone...

Usually my side is the right side and Brett's is the left but right now they are both mine!

From a different angle...

and again...

This is one of my favorite rooms in the house and the most comfortable!!

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 44

A Picture Of Someone You're Told You Look Like

Ever since I can remember, people have been telling me that I look like my Aunt Suz.

Whenever I would go places with her people would ask if we were sisters or if she was my mom.

As you can see, we have the same eyes, nose, smile, even our eyebrows are alike!!

We have the distinctive "Miles" eyes, nose, and smile :)

We all kind of look alike!



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 43

A Picture Of Something You Can't Function Without

I hate to admit it but it's COFFEE.

A couple cups of coffee in the morning is the perfect start to my day. 

It helps wake me up and gives me the motivation I need to get moving!!

Not only do I love the way it tastes but I love the way it SMELLS.

I used to turn my nose up to coffee... then I started working at Things Brewed after High School and I became HOOKED.  I would drink it any way, shape, or form... black, with cream, latte, cappuccino, frappuccino, espresso, mocha, you name it.

Now, I most certainly CAN function without it... it's just that I prefer not to, that's all.

Mmmm... COFFEE <3



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 42

A Picture Of Your Dream House

There isn't one particular house that I have been drooling over for the past 5 years and to be completely honest this was the first time since I have been married that I even put any serious thought into my "dream house."  So here are a few specific things that would make up my DREAM house...

1. A house on the water... The ONLY thing I have always wanted was a house on the water. My grandparent's house was on the lake and I LOVED everything about it... the sounds, the fresh air, the breeze, the swimming, fishing, boating in the Summer and the ice skating in the Winter... Loved it all.

2. A huge deck/patio for cookouts, gatherings, or peaceful nights spent outside... In the summer at the house I grew up in, I don't think a day would go by where we didn't use our deck.  It was nice to be able to sit out in the sun on Summer days, eat dinner outside on warm nights, and have a place to entertain OUTSIDE.

 3. An AMAZING kitchen.  This is the part that I have put some thought into... I want a HUGE kitchen.  One with an island, TONS of cupboard and counter space, stainless steal appliances (including a double door refrigerator and two ovens), a LARGE pantry, and a nice wine rack :)

These 3 things would make up my DREAM home.

Hey, a girl can dream can't she??



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 41

A Picture Of Your Pet

DIEGO, our 1 and a half year old Puggle.

aka. Satan's Spawn lol

No, he is not THAT bad... but he IS still a puppy!

He definitely drives me crazy and can make me SO MAD at times BUT I would be lying if I didn't say that he also makes me smile and keeps me company on days when Brett is gone.

How can you not love that face??

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 40

A Picture Of Your Favorite Disney Character

Dory!! From "Finding Nemo!"

1. Because it is one of my favorite Disney movies

and

2. Because I am a BIG Ellen fan :)

I just love how naive and funny she is in the movie.

BUT.... I have a feeling if and when I ever see "Despicable Me" my favorite characters would be the "Minions" because on the commercials alone... I would laugh.



30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 39

A Picture Of Your Favorite Movie

There aren't many movies that I TRULY enjoy watching over and over again but whenever "The Goonies" is on TV... I am SO THERE.

I have a list of movies that I love but whenever asked this question, "The Goonies" is always the first movie that comes to my mind.

My Aunt and Uncle introduced the movie to my brothers and I when we were little, we had it on VHS and watched it over and over, more so then any other movie that we owned.
I LOVE Chunk... he's my favorite :)

The "truffle shuffle" and how he freaks out & worries about EVERYTHING... I just love his character.

This movie can make any bad day... a Great day!

It'll always be on of my faves.

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 38

A Picture Of The Best Part Of Your Day

Brooke, Kara, and I went to Seaport Village!!

We grabbed a bite to eat at the Greek Cafe and spent the rest of the afternoon moving around from shop to shop and enjoying their weekend entertainment.

Here we are in the Hat Shop trying on the hundreds of different hats that they have in their store.

It was a GREAT day :)

The patriotic cheerleader hat & your every day "chicken drinking a beer" hat

Hats from all over the world...

I love visitors!!! :)

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 37

A Picture Of The People You Spend Most Of Your Time With



Yesterday I told you that I spend most of my time with Brett BUT when he is gone I spend most of my time with my friend Christina (and her son Cooper).  Christina and I are neighbors (that's how we met!), so it is very easy for us to just walk on over to each other's house... at any time of day.

We have a lot of fun together and always have a lot to talk about... Our husbands are going to be deployed about the same time and we have many GREAT plans to keep us busy while they're gone that will help make the time go by fast!

I am so HAPPY that she moved in next door to me :)

GREAT neighbors are hard to come by!!

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 36

A Picture Of Your 'Other Half'

Yup, you guessed it...

It's Brett.

He is definitely my best friend and the person that I spend most of my time with.  I would be LOST without him and look forward to sharing a long and happy life together!! 

Counting down the days until you come home!! xo

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 35

A Picture Of Your Favorite Place To Eat

Out here in California, my FAVORITE place (so far) to eat at is Riptide Sushi and Teppan Grill.

I absolutely LOVE their sushi, LOVE it! My most favorite sushi to order is the "Galaxy Roll" (Salmon Tempura, avocado, crab, cream cheese, topped with salmon, special sauces, tempura crunch, and green onion).  They also make the BEST tasting fried rice!! Not only is the food good but the drinks and atmosphere are GREAT also!! The bar is always packed and the music they play will have you singing along at some point, I promise!

Until I find a better place... this will remain my favorite!!

Check it out for yourself... RIPTIDE SUSHI

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 34

A Picture Of Your Currently Most Played CD

I honestly VERY rarely listen to CD's anymore!!

I am usually listening to my ipod or Pandora Radio. So here is my Pandora play-list!!

This is what I listen to the most... Adele, Lil Wayne, Staind, George Straight...

I have a little bit of everything, so it works for whatever mood I am in!!

Love me some PANDORA RADIO!!

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 33

A Picture Of The House You Grew Up In

:( Good Ol' Orban Road.  My FAVORITE house of all time!! This was the house that I lived in for 21 years and I have the BEST memories from this house!!  We had the biggest yard which was great for bonfires or "camping" (and I even enjoyed mowing the lawn lol).  The basement was like my own apartment and PERFECT for entertaining friends & family.  Then there was the "blue room"... I mean, who else can say they had a blue room?? The masks in the upstairs bathroom that creeped most people out... but for me was just another touch to make our house... a home.   The pool that my mom couldn't get me out of for so many years but once we all "grew out of it" became replaced by a hot tub... I was SO LUCKY to have grown up in that house!! I can only dream of one day owning a house as perfect as my childhood home! 
I hope that whoever is living there now, feels just as lucky and appreciates the house that my family built!!

30 Day Project - Part Two - Day 32

A Picture Of A Crazy Night

My 21st Birthday... Do I really even need to explain...?!

I don't think I do.

The first time legally drinking at the bar with your friends...

The day that a lot of teenagers dream about and countdown to.

(and then once it comes, you're kind of over it after the first weekend)

Waking up the following morning, feeling like absolute CRAP and EMBARRASSED when you hear stories about YOUR night that are a little "fuzzy" to you.

Yup, THIS was THAT night for me :)